My Mercedes Benz

Umbrella With Premium Insignia!

It was a perfect day to leisure around due to a public

holiday on the occasion of Eid-ul-fitr. Woke up little late and after a quick breakfast and glance through the newspapers, decided to get my wardrobe organised.

Suddenly, behind heaps of clothes, I came across a

fourteen inch long barrel wrapped neatly with several layers of newspapers that appeared almost like a grandmother's parcel! Curiously, unpacked the stuff and then discovered it was the Mercedes Benz pocket umbrella which I remembered putting it out of sight ever since I bought it at the the eleventh Auto Expo held at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi on January 2012.

The reason behind keeping it off from public view was

primarily due to the guilt of purchasing it at a prohibitive price unknowingly which I realized only after scrutinizing the bill and SMS on the transaction sent in the mobile by my bank on reaching home.

For the first time I took a close look at it and examined it from every angle. The two-fold telescopic umbrella is definitely made of high quality spokes, designer waterproof fabric and an elegant polished wooden handle.

The wooden handle sports a black square metallic button in the side that enables the umbrella to open up at a press and a big logo of Mercedes Benz at the tip. Holding the umbrella gives a premium feel and appears it had been manufactured with utmost precision just like its range of automobiles.

At the Auto Expo, there were several pavilions set up

by almost all major global automobile manufacturers. The Mercedes Benz was one of the topmost pavilions which had maximum footfalls. During the seven-day event, I had made few attempts to visit this pavilion but gave up due to the serpentine line.

On the final day, I decided to come to the venue early morning and squeeze up sometime to visit this pavilion in particular. To add up extra spice to the event, dozens of international models were flown in and each stood modelling besides different Mercedes variants displayed.

After viewing a variety of sedans, off-roaders, sports,

hybrid and concept cars, I moved across a stall selling Mercedes Benz memorabilia. From calf-links, tie pins, caps, key chains, badges, bags, jackets, umbrellas, etc all with the Mercedes Benz logo in it. The counter appeared to be pretty crowded with fashionable young men and women and a couple of models too walk passed that encouraged me to do some quick photography.

I had spotted an umbrella and asked the price. And I heard the person responding with an accent and a smile, "Sir, this is 378/-..." Although I thought it was slightly expensive compared to such varieties found in the open market, but then, I felt it was fine considering it buying at an event like this plus, I would hardly get time to go shopping for an umbrella. 

Having decided my mind, I flaunted my debit card at

the counter and within seconds the amount got debited and the umbrella inserted in an elegant paper bag turned out to be my new possession. It was only after reaching home late evening I realized the blunder I had made - the original price quoted for the umbrella was of four digits and I had missed just the last one! This drove me to hide the umbrella completely from public view and best way to forget about the episode.

But today I realised that this is a wonderful piece and also a remembrance of my visit to one of the world's best premium car manufacturer's pavilion. Even if I can never own a four-set of wheels of this brand in my life, but who cares - I have atleast a Mercedes Benz umbrella. Let the Delhi monsoon rains start and I am surely going to flaunt it!   

Video clips related to the Auto Expo:

  

A BPO Party

From the Archives-1: Recovered this manuscript that was written six years ago...

 The Great Night of Indulgence 

Noida's night life has slowly gained momentum. Come

weekend and the pubs and resto-bars are abuzz with people from the BPO companies relaxing after a hectic work schedule.

Often referred as the Sunshine Industry, organisations such as HCL, Steria (formerly Xanza), CSC, EXL Service .Com etc are known to hold parties just to ensure employees stress level stay low and to bridge the gap of high attrition.

And here the coolest hangouts to name a few can be

anywhere from Chicane, Ice Cube, Tantra, RPM or Elevate depending upon the budget allocated by respective organisations.

FLASH DANCE: Party revelers rocking 

On Friday, 09 May 2008 all roads led to RPM - a resto bar located at Sector 18, opposite Atta market. The occasion was EXL's Aviva process party.

Headquartered in New York, EXL Service.Com's

Noida employees were all dressed to kill. From jeans. capri, mini skirts, spaghetti and high-heeled clogs, women-folk were sporting bright colours with sparkles and sequins. The no makeup visage, smoky eyes, metallic coloured lips and eye-liners including designer tattoo added to their glam quotient.

Men-folk too were smartly dressed in casuals and semi formals while many sported a clean shaven and gelled-wet hair look.

Though small to accommodate a big crowd, but this

resto bar is unique and out of the world. The walls are covered with smooth polished round logs that can remind a cowboy salon from one of the flicks of yesteryear Hollywood super star Clint Eastwood's. RPM's owner Reshmi disclosed it had been designed to give that cool effect. 

BAR CODE: Shsss...!! Pour us each a large, strong & chilled one!

To beat the heat there were various mock-tails, cocktails, including hard and soft drinks. From Blue Lagoon, Virgin Pinacolada to beer, vodka, gin, whisky, scotch was all there to chill.

Gradually the lights got dimmer, lazer and strobe lights

in full action. Resident DJ Prashant took control at the

DISC JOKEY: DJ Prashant belting out sizzling tracks

console belting out sizzling tracks thus, sending the crowd into the dance floor.

Remixes of the '70's and '80's such as Daddy Kool by Boney M; Honey - Honey, Dancing Queen by Abba while Hindi remixes of Bapi Lahiri's famous Pyar bina chain kaha re... and a couple of songs of Nazia Hassan did the trick causing a mass hysteria.

At one point of time confusion arose when RPM's owner pleaded to allow a small group of her loyal customers into the resto bar. EXL's managers were assured there would not be any trouble since she was confident about her clients who would be confined to a secluded corner. To keep the slightest of any kind of unpleasant situation at bay, a network of infrared surveillance cameras were fitted in strategic places, besides a few bouncers at standby.

The floor swelled up with a turnout of more than 60  EXLites and invitees leaving no space to stand. The mood was perfect with every individual pumping extra bit of adrenaline and sweet summer sweat shimmering in their forehead!

Conspicuous by his late appearance EXL's Vice

EPICUREAN'S DELIGHT: Eat, drink and make merry...

President of Aviva Operations, Vinod Khemani was seen wriggling and moving to the beat of the music. He had a reason to flaunt his new look trim figure! Invitees such as Assistant Vice President Gaurav Puthran of Aviva Third Party Motor Claims, Managers Mudit Mathur of IB Claims and Philips Philips of Process Excellence including Tamal Bhadra, an ex-EXLite and presently manager at Fidelity in Gurgaon were among others to grace the occasion with their presence. 

Resto bar staff in full regalia served dinner in buffet style but party revelers preferred to grove in until the last beat of the music was over.

As the clock chimed midnight, the curtains came down - the great night of indulgence was finally over. It was

indeed a party in full control. The heavy fuel in the party reveler's body took a back seat and it was now the spirit of EXL - the vibrant logo (X-man if we can call it) virtually coming to life at centre stage with its hands up expressing either to strive for more or telling it was enough for the day...!!

Thank you EXL!

Following are few collages and a video: